Here's a link to a very interesting editorial written by the International President of the IAFF. I was dumbfounded when I read it. This is written by the same individual who has, for years now, been telling his membership that embracing EMS with open arms is their only chance of surviving financial cutbacks and maintaining job security in the years to come. Am I missing something here?
I'm not being critical of Paramedics working in a fire-based environment. The modes by which paramedical services can be delivered are various, and continue to expand across our country, especially in jurisdictions where self-regulation has been achieved. But how hypocritical is it to suggest that his fire-fighters are capable of looking at expanding their "tools of the trade", but no one else seems to be. He may have a valid concern within his editorial, but his arguments are blatantly hypocritical!
Paramedics are health care professionals. Put them in any environment you like. But let them practice health care, and don't expect them to be masters of many trades. Leave paramedicine to the pros!
